HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Dear Zerena,

A very happy Birthday to you today and many, many more!

We hope you have a fabulous celebration and may all your dreams be within your reach during this year!

Thank you for your continued support and love and prayers for our soldier!

Dear Darryl,

We hope you have a fantastic Birthday today - i believe it is the big 30!

Next one, you will be celebrating as a Dad!

Have a great celebration and hugs to Loren and baby to!

God Bless and lots of love

Mark, Samm , Deqlan and Logan

SURPRISE!

BABY LIAM MACDONALD BORN TODAY AT 9.52 ( UK TIME) , 3.4KG ,

MOMMY AND BABY ARE WELL.FROM A VERY PROUD DAD,DON

Congratulations guys - what a surprise - i was expeting to post this on Monday 16 June! Have just had a call from your mom Sam, and she told me you went into labor this morning! Goodness me Liam, you just couldnt wait another whole 3 days - there is far to much stuff going on that you want to be a part of!

We are elated for you and cant wait to see his first pics - I cant wait to hear how Mia reacts! Please give each other a hugs and a kiss and a pat on the bum from all of us!

May Our Lord continue to hold you all in the palm of His hands, protect and keep you safe and healthy and happy!

What a celebration you must be having, wish we where with you! Cant wait to met the little fellow!

God Bless and lots and lots of love

Mark, Samm, Deqlan and Logan and all our families

MOTIVATION FOR TODAY

Standing for what you believe in regardless of the odds against you, and the pressure that tears at your resistance ...is Courage.
Keeping a smile on your face when inside you feel like dying, for the sake of supporting others ...is Strength.
Stopping at nothing and doing what's in your heart that you know is right ...is Determination. Doing more than is expected, to make another's life a little more bearable, without uttering a single complaint ...is Compassion.
Helping a friend in need, no matter the time or effort, to the best of your ability ...is Loyalty. Holding your head high And being the best you know you can be when life seems to fall apart at your feet, ...is Fortitude.
Facing each difficulty with thoughts that time will bring you better tomorrows, And never giving up... ...is Confidence.

Marissa Monroe

Marissa earned her Angel wings at 5:42 am. She went very peacfully in my arms. She is already missed so dearly. Please continue the prayers for our family.
Tracy

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY

Marissa Monroe

Marissa earned her Angel wings at 5:42 am. She went very peacfully in my arms. She is already missed so dearly. Please continue the prayers for our family.
Tracy

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY

Congress passes act!

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECureSearch Praises Passage of the "Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act" in U.S. House of Representatives Children with Cancer and their Families to Benefit from Landmark LegislationJune 12, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States House of Representatives for passage of H.R. 1553, the "Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act," which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.During markup of the legislation, the bill was renamed the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008, in memory of Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine. The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatments and research for children with cancer and their families."For far too long, children suffering from pediatric cancer have gotten short shrift on federal resources," said Pryce, original author of this groundbreaking legislation."The bill we passed today dramatically expands federal investment into childhood cancer research and education, and will make an historic difference in the lives of the more than 12,000 children who will be diagnosed with cancer each year. A nation with our resources, our scientists, our committed doctors and oncologists, and our inherent and insuppressible fighting spirit can and should do more to put an end to so much suffering."Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), one of the original co-sponsors of the Carolyn Walker Pryce Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, stated that conquering childhood cancer has transcended partisan politics, and addresses a critical national issue that is finally receiving the attention it deserves."I am pleased that the House passed this important legislation, which will bring us one step closer to eradicating pediatric cancer," said Van Hollen. "This bill will enhance and expand pediatric cancer research activities at the National Institutes of Health, establish a pediatric cancer registry, and increase informational and educational outreach efforts to patients and families affected by pediatric cancer. No child should have to experience and suffer the effects of cancer, and no parent should have to see their child suffer."CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative. Treating 90% of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America. "The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," noted Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group. "Only research cures childhood cancer. On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank our Congressional leaders.""On behalf of CureSearch, we applaud the steadfast leadership of Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Deborah Pryce and their colleagues in the House who through the passage of this bill have made finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director, CureSearch. Companion legislation in the United States Senate (S.911), sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously in November, 2007. The Senate version of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act currently has 63 co-sponsors; a full Senate floor vote on the bill is expected this summer.

Happy 21 Months Deqlan!

Happy 21 Months our Darling Boy! I cant believe how quickly we are on our way to 2 years! You continue to light up our lives in every possible way , you continue to teach us so much, God continues to show His love through you each moment of every day! We are so Blessed to be your parents, and love you more and more each moment - you are are hero , inspiration and reason we are here on earth! We love you are Darling Deqlan more then you will ever know , but as i always say we shall continue to try and show you just how much each day by trying to be the best parents we can be !



Today is also Keatons 21 weeks birthday! Hooray! You continue to capture our hearts each moment we see you - you are to dam cute Keaton Beaton - your giggles and smiles and expressions and movements melt our hearts, you are to gorgeous and we love you billions!
Poor little monkey had to have blood drawn today for his allergy test - Nanna says Keaton was full of smiles for everyone and then very heartsore once needle went in - shame, its horrible to see such a little baba so upset - luckily its over and we anxiously await results to see if and what he is allergic to!


Today also marks exactly 1 year since Meggie gave us the news she was pregnant - as she tells on Keatons blog, we where at Kloof hospital and Megs arrived for her 'shift' with me at 6 am and she announced that not only was Deqlan a miracle but that she was expecting a miracle to! We were elated and overjoyed at the news! Later that day Deqlan had his emergency haemotoma repaired - his second op in 2 weeks - boy look how far we have come in 1 year , thank You Lord!



Thank you for all your prayers for Logan , she is out of hospital and will stay at home for the week to make sure she is 110% - her Ouma says she still has a bit of cramps from the gastro , but seems to be on the mend.



I was a bit concerned about our soldier the last few days - he hasn't been himself, a little more niggly then normal, flushed cheeks, and what concerned me the most is that he was not wanting to eat or even drink, now , for Deqlan not to want to drink , something must be worrying him ! I was more then relieved last night as Deqlan ate a little more and drank to and decided to have another peek into his mouth - and there it was! The last molar - out ! Deqlans appetite and thirst are getting back to normal today and he seems to be more chilled and relaxed and in a better mood!


We had a great session at speech and ot yesterday - the girls where impressed to hear about all the new developments the past week and very impressed to see Deqlan showing with his hand that he wanted something. He also calmed down so quickly after the door was shout - so 95% of our session is spent inside and being calm and focusing on activities - that in itself is a huge achievement! So, we go back next week Tuesday and will have our assessment , very interested to hear the feedback of the Doctor who specialises in smaller infants.

Please go and have a look at this video - how beautiful - Sloan Memorial hospital in New York had a prom for all the paed oncology kids to celebrate life! How beautiful and very inspiring...mmm....watch this space...http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5041177

Sam and Don and Mia - the countdown is really on its way as you wait for your baby boy to arrive on Monday 16 June - we are so excited for you and wish we were there to see the little guy arrive - cant wait to meet him - safe delivery my friend, God will be with you every step of the way, that's for sure!

Well, let me sign off for the evening and go and play with my little soldier who is thoroughly enjoying the taste of sand and the feel of mud at the moment!

God Bless, sleep tight, lots and lots of love
Mark, Samm, Deqlan

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!